River have suffered a major blow, as star playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero has suffered a torn ACL, and will likely miss the rest of 2019 – including the Copa Libertadores.

Marcelo Gallardo's men subsequently need a replacement if they're to retain their Copa Libertadores title, and they've set their sights high with Lanzini.

TyC Sports report that River want to hand Lanzini a return to El Monumental, but there's already a problem, as the finances needed to strike a deal may be beyond River.

Lanzini, 26, came up through the River ranks having first joined way back in 2002, but left for Al Jazira Club in 2014 after 13 goals in 91 games.

The attacking midfielder has since become a star in the Premier League with West Ham, and after almost a year out with a major knee injury of his own, Lanzini scored his first goal in a year on the final day of the Premier League season.

West Ham fans will be excited about Lanzini being back to his best next season, but the continued reports about a potential exit will be of major concern.

A move back to River seems unlikely, but The Mirror claim that Fenerbahce are also keen. Lanzini has just a year left on his deal, but with West Ham having a two-year option on that contract, they should feel safe that Lanzini will stay unless he forces through an exit.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.